CAPE MAY — Dogs will be permitted on the new nature trails at Lafayette Street Park as long as they are leashed and their owners collect any waste left behind.
During a meeting April 1, City Council introduced an amendment to the ordinance regarding prohibited conduct in the city’s parks and recreation areas to allow it.
Councilman Steve Bodnar said he received public feedback that led him to believe people using the nature trails would like to bring leashed dogs.
“Personally, my belief would be someone having a leashed dog out on these natural trails would be a wonderful opportunity,” Bodnar said. “I had a discussion with our solicitor, and [he] drafted additional language related to this ordinance, specifically addressing individuals taking their dogs on the trails.”
Solicitor Chris Gillin-Schwartz said the amendment was simple: dogs are permitted but must always be kept on a leash and accompanied by their owner or caretaker, who should carry a dog waste disposal device.
“The language would be similar to what we have on the beach, including signage,” Gillin-Schwartz said.
The nature trails are for pedestrians only but mobility aids such as wheelchairs and walkers are permitted. Council additionally discussed an amendment to the ordinance that would prohibit bicycles, scooters, rollerblades and skateboards.
A delay in the delivery of several pavilions held up completion of the highly anticipated nature trail project at Lafayette Street Park. Orlando said he hopes the trails will be open by May 15.
The city awarded a $1,869,475 contract to Massett Building Co. to construct nature trails through the wetlands behind the Cape May City Elementary School. The first phase of the park included multipurpose athletic fields, a garden and playground area that connects to the school.
Phase two will be the easterly portion of the site, consisting of the softball field, the dog park and the bocce ball courts. It is estimated to cost about $500,000.
Mayor Zack Mullock thanked Orlando, City Manager Paul Dietrich and solicitor Chris Gillin-Schwartz for all the permitting work they completed for the park.
“Phase one is going to be a nice start to the park,” Orlando said. “Phase two will be the parking area, along with the pickleball and tennis courts, basketball and other hard structures.”
Orlando and Dietrich walked the trails and said the contractor is doing great work.
“I’ve worked with a lot of people in my 40-year career and these guys have done an excellent job,” Orlando said. “Everything they do is first-class, and some of the recommendations they’ve made to us during the process has been fabulous. They take a lot of pride in their work.”
Dietrich also provided an update on an osprey nest that had been removed from the area where the trails were being installed. Dietrich said an osprey nest was donated by a teacher at Cape May Technical School.
“The naturalist program builds osprey nests, and we secured a donation from her,” Dietrich said. “Four guys from Public Works carried it out into the marsh to the osprey platform.”
Dietrich said Mullock saw ospreys congregating on the platform as a spot to look around.
“It’s going to be a special place for the residents of Cape May to [experience],” Orlando said.
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
